Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal transfer: £35m bid, transfer talks, Pep Guardiola claim

Arsenal are looking to sign two strikers this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to improve his squad heading into next season. With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract in the next few months, the likes of Darwin Nunez, Victor Osimhen and Jonathan David have been linked with a move to the Emirates.

And now, in a long list of potential strikers, the latest to join the rumour mill is Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus. Mikel Arteta worked with the Brazilian during his time as assistant manager at the Etihad Stadium, and as the reports have suggested, Arteta is a huge admirer.

Jesus is expected to get more minutes between now and the end of the season as City look to increase his potential transfer fee, with the Gunners expected to lodge a bid in the region of £35million this summer.

Jesus speaks out

Jesus has refused to speak about his future at the Etihad Stadium following recent reports linking him with a summer move to the north London outfit. "Not time to think about this," he said when quizzed about leaving Pep Guardiola's side.

"You expect me to say this, and it's true. Not time to think about this, now is the best moment of the season.

"I want to enjoy it, keep focussed on my teammates to fight for the Premier League. I've won with my teammates three times already, so I know how it feels, and I want to again.

"We have a tough game on Tuesday against Real Madrid, a tough opponent. That's my focus."

Guardiola speaks out on Jesus' future

Following Jesus' first Premier League four-goal haul against Watford on Saturday [April 23], Guardiola spoke about the speculation on Jesus' future.

The City manager said: "I want to tell you something; Gabriel [Jesus] is our player. I don't know what is going to happen, but he is a Man City player. When he has days like today, I am the happiest man in the world!

"Every player is happy when they play 90 minutes all the time, but at the end of the season, whether he wants to extend, stay or leave, I don't know or don't care. We have less than one month. My only concern is the players will do everything to try and win, after that, no one knows what will happen.

"If one person in the world deserves nights like this, it's him. There is no one on the backroom staff or who knows him that isn't happy for him. When you are so positive and generous as he is in every way, life and football can reward you.

"When he has situations like this, we're happy for him because he's so generous. It doesn't matter what position he's in, we know how he fights for his mates. He's fantastic."

What Jesus has said about Arteta

Jesus gave his verdict on the manager when he made the move to Arsenal in late 2019. He said: "He's helped a lot of players. When I want to do finishing after training, I tell him, and he comes and helps me.

"So he is really fantastic for us. All the players know that — everyone knows that in the club. He is a fantastic guy and a fantastic manager. I don't honestly know what he thinks about his career, that is for him. I hope he can find his way, and I hope he can be happy."

Arsenal explore Jesus possibility

As per the Athletic, Arsenal are looking to strengthen their attack in the upcoming market, and Jesus is one potential acquisition. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton's 25-year-old striker, is also among the options being considered.